Managing Human Resources

Managing Human
Resources

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
MAIN BODY ..................................................................................................................................1
Definition and explanation of Hard and Soft concepts of HRM ................................................1
Example of organisation using Hard approach ..........................................................................3
Example of an organisation implying Soft approach .................................................................5
CONCLUSION ...............................................................................................................................7
REFERENCES................................................................................................................................9

INTRODUCTION
Managing human resource is considered as an integral component within an organisation
as it directly link with improving company's overall performance and productivity ratio.
However, human resource management is refer as a strategic approach for managing personnel
with an aim of gaining competitive advantage and accomplishment of business objective in an
effective manner and also in stipulated time period (Balaji, 2014). Moreover, there are two types
of approaches in HRM which empower employee and employee to achieve desired task i.e. hard
and soft. With the implication of such concepts, it lead management to develop a better
relationship between workforce also can enhance company's proficiency ratio. In regard of this
project, Arcadia Company has been considered, it is a multinational retailing brand within UK
industry and it is introduced in the year of 2002. It deliver various division of product like
clothing, accessories, shoes and serves its operation across the globe. Hence, this study is wholly
based in essay format in which it includes hard and soft concepts of HRM and explaining the
same with an implication of appropriate example for obtaining profit maximisation in a better
manner.
MAIN BODY
Definition and explanation of Hard and Soft concepts of HRM
Human resource management is a process or activity of hiring, motivating and
maintaining personnel in order to create a better relationship within organisation working culture
for achieving the desires pre defined goal in an effective way. Moreover, they are connected with
different types of roles and responsibilities such as recruiting, training, developing,
compensation, motivating employees and many more. However, maintenance of healthy
relationship between workforce lead HR to cope up with all sort of current or emerging business
issues in an improved way (Berumen and et,al.,2016). Apart form this, the concept of HRM is
categorised into two types that is hard and soft which is viewed as a source of obtaining
competitive advantage. In terms of hard approach it is a technical knowledge which is obtain
through education centres, training programs, workshops and get expertise in a specified field of
performance. Whereas soft approach is an interpersonal skill which encourage them to create
long lasting relationship with personnel and accomplish pre determined objective in a prescribed

time period. Although these two concepts are different in nature yet it contains a huge role in
enriching the organisation brand value among competitors.
In addition to this, today's business environment are getting more competitive and
challenging which directly impact establishment's potentiality in acquiring sustainable growth
and development. Therefore, combination of both approaches i.e. hard and soft enable superior
to generate positive connectivity of network and also can implement best strategic decision
without any hindrances. Furthermore, the key differences between hard and soft concepts are
how they are acquired and execute at workplace (Bouras and Bendak, 2014). Hence, hard
approach is obtain through education and specific training activities as it involves certain
machine, software, tools and etc. On the contrary, soft skill or concept is more related to
personality traits that may require whole life to develop and get expert in particular attribute.
Some of the element which soft concept includes like time management, effective
communication, conflict resolving, decision making and many more. In relation to Arcadia, it is
one of the well known and reputed organisation among UK retail sector and it serve its business
function all over the globe. Furthermore, it has its own subsidiaries such as Topshop, Topman,
Burton, Evans and so on for which it require personnel who are highly capable, innovative and
skilled for analysing the industry condition and also can impose corrective course of action for
gaining competitive position within marketplace. Therefore, it is identified that hard
and soft concepts is an important element within the premises of organisation as it enable them to
face any kind of threat and also to grab all available opportunities for accomplishing impressive
position. Hence, focussing on both division plays a vital role in an establishment. This is because
for generating healthy relationship and encouraging the workforce soft approach is required and
at the same time for providing solution towards any technical errors then the usage of hard
approach arises (Chaterera, 2016).
Moreover, in relation to Arcadia company, as it takes an initiative to globalised their
business operation across the worldwide, it requires hard and soft approach in a equal manner.
However, in order to imply the same it makes an effort to make use of various tactics or
activities which enable them to enhance the overall performance of organisation. In regard of
hard approach, it render various training and development as well as online courses, workshops,
management activities which assist personnel to acquire deeper understanding of particular field.
This is because, in present marketplace there is an intense level of competition between every